FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Brazil?
Brazil has a reciprocal visa policy with all countries, meaning that whenever prices
and restrictions are applied to Brazilian visiting a country, Brazil adopts the
same measures for that country's visitors. Visas are granted by the Brazilian consulates
abroad. Visa is required for American, Canadian, Australian and Indian citizens,
and not required for citizens of most western European countries as well as South
Africa and New Zealand. Spanish citizens do not require a visa but must meet additional
requirements when entering Brazil based on reciprocal treatment. To find the consulate
nearest to you check this link - the directory is listed in alphabetical order
by city and is only available in Portuguese. Contact us if you need further assistance.

Do I need vaccination before going to Brazil?
Vaccination against Yellow Fever is recommended for tourists travelling to certain
states. We will be able to advise you during your booking process if the area to
which you are travelling is one of them. In case it is needed, vaccination should
be taken at least 10 days prior to travelling. It is worth noticing that almost
the entire Brazilian coast is considered free of contamination risk. For further
reference check the CDC website or refer to the Brazilian Consulate or Brazilian Embassy nearest to you - the directory is
listed in alphabetical order by city and is only available in Portuguese. Brazil
requires an international certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever for tourists
from some countries: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador,
Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Venezuela and Zaire. Contact us if you need
further help.

What is the temperature like in Brazil?
Brazil is a huge country and temperatures vary greatly from region to region. In
the north temperatures tend to be more constant throughout the year. In the south,
seasons follow the pattern of the southern hemisphere, i.e., summer from December
to March and winter from June to September. If you plan to take a long trip that
combines multiple regions, we recommend travelling in our spring (September to November)
or autumn (March to June), when it is neither the dry nor the rainy seasons. For
detailed climate information we suggest visiting this link or contacting us.

What is the travel time and distance from place to place?
Given that Brazil is a continental country, the distances and travel times depend
on each itinerary. Domestic flights vary anywhere from one hour (e.g. Rio de Janeiro
to Sao Paulo) to 4 hours (e.g. Sao Paulo to Manaus), not considering travel to/from
the airport, waiting time and connections. As far as ground transportation goes,
a trip from Sao Paulo to Paraty, for instance, takes 5 to 6 hours depending on traffic.
You can simulate distances on this site or consult one of our experts.

What is the currency and conversion rate in Brazil?
The currency in Brazil is called Real (R$). Recently appreciated due to the development
of the economy in Brazil, it is traded freely on the market and therefore fluctuates
daily. The rate can be found at this site or by contacting us. In large cities, the vast
majority of restaurants accept credit cards. It is also possible to make withdrawals
at ATMs using international debit and credit cards. Dollars, Euros (and often British
Pounds) and travelers checks can be exchanged at banks, travel agencies and authorized
hotels.

I don’t know which destinations to visit. How should I go about choosing them?
We recommend visiting our destination comparison page. There you will find a description of groups
of destinations. We have classified these groups in a way that does not require
our customers to know much about the many destinations available in Brazil. Instead,
you will choose a group based on its concept, and then we will show you examples
of destinations included in that group. If you are still unsure after visiting the
page, do not worry; it will be a pleasure to help you to decide the destinations
that best suit you along the vacation design process.

I don’t have definitive dates, should I design a customized package?
That´s not a problem. We understand you are planning a memorable experience and
we want to help you during your own timing. In order to start getting inspired,
we recommend you visit our “favorite packages” page (click on the “choose your private
package” button, then on the “browse our favorite packages” button). Once you have
your dates we will be happy to tailor any of these packages to your exact dates;
if you can’t find the right one, we will design one from scratch exclusively for
you!

What is the booking process like?
Once you decide to book a vacation with us, we will send you a registration form
with a secure payment method. We accept Visa, Mastercard and AMEX. In order to confirm
your booking, you will need to make a non-refundable deposit of at least 20% of
the total cost of the trip. This is to make reservations at the hotels, services
and flights. The balance must be settled no later than 30 days prior to your starting
date in Brazil. Once you request a booking, we will check availability of all services.
As soon as we get the confirmation, we will charge your card and send you a final
voucher with details of all the services you have booked. We won’t charge your card
if one of the services or hotels does not confirm availability and will then be
in touch to discuss alternatives. To start the booking process, browse our favorite
packages, choose one and fill out the booking request form. We will be in touch
in 2-3 days with your confirmation. If you can’t find a package that you like, we
can design one from scratch exclusively for you!

Can I make changes once my trip is booked and confirmed?
We recommend booking your trip once you are fully satisfied with your itinerary
to avoid potential change fees applicable to certain services. Our travel planners
are available to customize your trip for you. We usually allow you at least two
adjustments before asking for a financial commitment. We try to accommodate changes
whenever possible but they are not always free of charge.

What happens if cancel my vacation?
We understand sometimes it is inevitable to cancel a vacation. Should you wish to
cancel your trip after confirming and paying for it, you must notify True Brazil
Travel in writing. The following conditions apply:
• Cancellation 30 or more days before departure: you pay 20% of the trip cost
• Cancellation 15-29 days before departure: you pay 50% of the trip cost
• Cancellation 1-7 days before departure: you pay 100% of the trip cost
• CARNIVAL/NEW YEAR’s/HOLIDAY’s packages: non-refundable
Make sure to have travel insurance for the unfortunate event of medical illness.

Can I book a trip for the 2014 World Cup / 2016 Olympics? Do you sell tickets?
We do not have rates for the 2014 World Cup yet. Maybe in few months we will be
able to help you. If you send an e-mail to info@truebraziltravel.com with subject
line World Cup or Olympics we will be happy to contact you as soon as that information
becomes available. You may also want to "like" us on Facebook to stay in touch and up to do date with our news.
If you decide to travel to Brazil before this period, it will be a pleasure to design
a trip for you.

What and when is Carnival?
Carnival (also spelled Carnaval and also known as Mardi Gras) is Brazil’s biggest
party and takes places across the country every year, lasting almost a week in February
or early March (and weeks in certain places). It is celebrated in a wide variety
of ways, from the giants “bonecos” of Olinda and the “trios elétricos” of Salvador
to the massive samba parades of Rio de Janeiro.
• In 2013, Carnival will start on February 8 and end on February 13, 2013.
• In 2014, Carnival will start on February 28 and end on March 05, 2014.
Don't forget to make your reservations well in advance!

Does True Brazil Travel have special packages during Carnival?
Carnival is for sure one of the most exciting seasons in our country and there is
no place like Rio to enjoy it. True Brazil Travel puts together a nice itinerary
in Rio every year, which has been loved by guests with various tastes looking to
experience this unique event. As True Brazil Travel specializes in authentic travel
experiences, our Carnival package is developed to allow ours guests to experience
this party from the standpoint of a Brazilian. Rather than doing touristy activities,
you will be part of the Brazilian crowd and a local English speaking host will be
there to assist you with anything you many need so you can have peace of mind while
enjoying Carnival.

Is Brazil an LGBT-friendly destination?
Brazil is a popular LGBT destination. There is an increased level of acceptance
and openness especially in larger cities and during Carnival. The main lesbian and
gay destinations are Rio, which was elected the world's sexiest destination twice,
São Paulo, which has the world's largest Pride Parade, Florianópolis, which is the
hippest gay hangout, and Salvador and Recife which are attracting more and more
lesbian and gay tourists looking for the fun and year-round sun of the Brazilian
northeast.

Do Brazilians speak English?
The national language is Portuguese, but the accent and intonation are slightly
different from what one hears in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries.
Portuguese is relatively similar to Spanish, therefore most Spanish speakers get
by well throughout Brazil. English is not widely spoken, except in the best hotels.
At True Brazil Travel, we rely on our excellent English-speaking hosts to accompany
our guests. Most of our hosts have spent time abroad and are local experts in their
respective city.

What activities are available in each city, including night life?
We have many activities available in each destination. You can get a good sample
by browsing our favorite packages and looking for optional activities under the
“Enhance your experience” tab. Additionally, when you book your trip with us, we
will send you your final itinerary with details and suggestions, including specific
activities to explore in every place.

What personal items should I bring?
It is advisable to bring a variety of clothing, depending on the places you visit.
If traveling to the beach or jungle, light clothing is recommended. If traveling
during Brazilian fall/winter (May-September) or to the Southeast/South of the country,
light winter clothing is advisable. We recommend guests to bring tennis or hiking
shoes, sandals, flip flops, sun screen, a hat, insect repellent, a small backpack,
bathing suit, a sweater, a light jacket and a rain coat/cap. Before departure, you
can also check with True Brazil Travel for additional recommendations specific to
your itinerary.

What safety precautions should I take?
As is the case in most places, by law everyone must carry a photo ID at all times.
For a foreigner in Brazil, this means your passport. However, most police officers
would accept a photocopy. Even the most patriotic Brazilian would say that the greatest
problem the country faces is crime. While in recent years the overall crime levels
are steadily decreasing, Brazil continues to have moderately high crime rates compared
to more developed countries. The best thing to do is to stay low profile and not
display items of high value such as laptops, jewelry, etc. Also avoid carrying large
amounts of cash with you. At True Brazil Travel we always design your experience
in private transportation and assign an English-speaking host to accompany you.
We believe this is the most convenient way to travel in Brazil.

What is True Brazil Travel’s specialty?
We specialize in customized full package trips all over Brazil. We plan your trip
together with you, using only suppliers that we trust. The advantage for you is
that you don’t need to plan your trip all by yourself or feel insecure about an
unusual place. We are a team of highly specialized travel professionals based in
Brazil. Think of us as an architect helping you build a dream house. Some of our
favorite packages are available on our website; be sure to check them first as they
will inspire you during the planning process, or you might just find the perfect
one along the way. We are here to adjust each package to your tastes.

Why are you called TRUE Brazil Travel?
We are committed to delivering authentic experiences in a non-touristy way, that’s
the meaning of TRUE. As travelers, we have always liked to see the local culture.
Unlike what is commonly done in Europe, the US and other developed countries, where
travelers take a more independent approach to see the authentic, Brazil requires
some advance planning with local knowledge. All our services are tailor made for
each guest and we only use suppliers that we have personally certified and trust.
We spend time with you to learn your preferences and always include a local host
in your trip, who is much more than a guide, and who knows exactly where to take
you.

I received a cheaper quote from another company. Why?
We have come across companies offering lower prices than ours, and in our experience,
we found that prices which were apparently lower on paper had several shortcomings
in practice, and were not comparable in terms of what was included or the quality.
We are happy to review a competitor’s quote and help you understand where the differences
lie. We usually find these differences in hotel room categories, type of transportation
used, inclusion of admission tickets and activities, taxes and fees, as well the
overall quality of what is offered. If you want us to review the quote you received,
please send it to info@truebraziltravel.com with subject line “cheaper competitor.”

I expected Brazil to be less costly. What is happening?
The recent economic boom in the country inevitably triggered inflation, making the
local currency, the Real (R$), very strong, thus making costs in foreign currency
significantly higher vis-a-vis many destinations. Brazil is booming, it will soon
host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and the positive energy and optimism
can be felt everywhere in the country. We believe Brazil is a unique destination
and worth the investment. By bundling all activities into a tailor-made package,
as opposed to paying for individual services locally, we are able to gain economies
of scale which we pass on to our guests. We will be happy to further discuss this
topic, just contact one of our enthusiastic trip designers!

What makes True Brazil Travel special among other travel companies?
We are not really a traditional type of travel agency. Instead, we operate a network
of "hosts" throughout Brazil. A host is much more than a travel guide - he or she
is someone who will accompany you during your trip and give you the feeling of having
a local friend in Brazil. We give our guests the same experience we give our own
friends when they come to visit. Having that "familiarity" aspect is a key ingredient
for a good experience in a country like Brazil. We created True Brazil Travel because
our international friends always found it too complex to travel in Brazil. By certifying
every hotel, host and transportation service that we use we make sure our guests
are taken to authentic yet high quality places in a safe and uncomplicated way.
As our special guest, you are invited to experience Brazil with us!